Goals from Henrik Larsson, Stan Varga, a double from John Hartson and a first Celtic goal for Ross Wallace sent the 63 Dunfermline fans home with nothing.
Martin O'Neill made two changes from Wednesday night, Liam Miller was replaced by Shaun Maloney and Rab Douglas was given a game ahead of Scotland's Euro 2004 qualifier with Holland next week.
Celtic's first real chance ended up with a goal - and what a goal it was. On the counter attack, Henrik Larsson relased a great ball to Didier Agathe, whose cross was volleyed home by John Hartson.
Dunfermline only had one thing in mind and that was to defend with 11 men behind the ball and try and frustrate Celtic, and done so for most of the match.
Celtic were however, playing some neat stuff and at the interval it could have been two or three, with Larsson missing a couple of chances.
The second half was played in an end of season match kind of way, and something was badly needed to brighten up the day.
That something came in the shape of youngster Ross Wallace.
Minutes prior to this, Dunfermline had a great shot from around 20 yards out, touched onto the underside of the crossbar by Rab Douglas, which had some Dunfermline players trying to claim it was over the line.
It was not to be though, and John Hartson sealed the Pars' fate on 77 minutes, with a terrific drive from inside the area.
Ross Wallace made his first mark on the game only minutes later, when a run down the right hand side saw him drive a low shot into the Dunfermline net. Wallace provided the width on the left hand side which Celtic had been missing from the absence of Alan Thompson.
Stan Varga got his name on the scoresheet minutes later, when Wallace turned creator, sending a beautiful cross over for 'The Varg' to head home.
On 87 minutes, Henrik Larsson got himself in on the act. Through on 'keeper Derek Stillie, he appeared to over run the ball, but managed to squeeze home a goal from a very tight angle. It was a goal only Larsson could have scored.
Celtic's late goal flourish brought a smile to my face in the sense that the thousands who left with around fifteen minutes - onwards to go, missed the most of the action. The game lasts 90 minutes, and if people aren't prepared to stay for the duration of the game, they shouldn't be there at all.
Celts are now 8 points clear at the top of the SPL.
Celtic:
Douglas - 8
Balde - 8 (Mjallby - 6)
Varga - 7
McNamara - 7
Agathe - 8
Lennon - 9
Petrov - 7 (Sylla - 3)
Maloney - 6 (Wallace - 8)
Hartson - 9
Larsson - 7
Sutton - 7
Celtic-Mad Man of the Match: John Hartson